Q&A with VCC Music instructor Emily Logan

VCC's Music department head and instructor, Emily Logan

Vancouver Community College’s (VCC) Music program offers a vibrant and comprehensive curriculum designed to nurture the talents and aspirations of both aspiring and accomplished musicians. Taught by experienced musicians, the program offers a bachelor’s degree, certificate and diploma covering music theory, performance, and collaboration in a variety of musical genres.  

VCC sat down with instructor and Music Department Head, Emily Logan. Emily has a love of performing and teaching. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance program at UBC. Her research centres around the study of interventions for Music Performance Anxiety and is funded by both the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and UBC Public Scholar. Learn more about what inspired Emily’s musical career, how VCC’s Music program stands out, and where you might find VCC students performing in your community. 

You can watch Emily and other VCC music instructors at their annual Music faculty recital on September 3, at the Broadway campus auditorium. And catch VCC's music students perform every Wednesday from September to November and January to March at 1 p.m. in the Auditorium.

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in music. How did you get started? 

I was drawn to the piano at a very young age and started asking my parents for lessons. At the time, the neighbourhood teacher informed my parents that I would have to wait until the age of 7 to begin lessons. For an eager 4-year-old, that felt like an eternity! When I finally was able to begin lessons at the age of 6, I was keen and ready to go. My goal of turning this into a career started fairly early. As a teenager, I was getting hired more and more as a pianist. I had my sights on completing a Bachelor of Music at Mt Allison University in Sackville, NB and that is exactly what I did. During my undergraduate studies, I had many opportunities to play for singers, for the opera productions, and perform solo piano. I also had the chance to spend two summers studying at the Aspen Music Festival and School.  

All of these experiences made me more eager to pursue graduate studies in music performance. I went on to complete a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Ottawa followed by a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from UBC. During those years, I had many opportunities to perform both solo and chamber music works, and these opportunities have continued since graduation. Now, I am an instructor and the Department Head of Music at VCC. 

Can you share a defining moment in your career that solidified your passion for music education? 

I always admired my piano teachers and by the age of 16, I opened my own piano studio. I offered lessons to beginners at first. It did not feel like a job. Sharing my love of music had been a dream since I was young, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of teaching. As I worked through my university studies, I took courses in pedagogy, attended music teacher conferences and workshops, and continued operating a private studio for piano and theory lessons. By the time I was in my undergraduate studies, I knew that I wanted to set my sights on teaching at the post-secondary level. To do that, I knew I needed to complete doctoral studies and to get as much performing and teaching experience as I could. I was fortunate to do some classroom music teaching at both University of Ottawa and UBC before becoming a faculty member at VCC. I love going to work each day and I thoroughly love how every student teaches me something new. 

What makes VCC’s Music program unique? 

I particularly appreciate that all students receive equal performing opportunities. We do not separate students into either performance or non-performance streams, meaning every student has equal opportunity to perform several times a year and our degree students have the chance to plan and perform a full-length concert. We also focus on career skills, equipping students with skills relating to grant writing, social media, music production, and a practicum to help bridge the path between their studies and the working world. We have many ensembles for students to pick from, including an Indigenous Vocal Ensemble and a Gamelan Ensemble. Our faculty have an array of specialties, bringing wonderful diversity and varying perspectives to the department. 

What advice do you have for students looking to pursue a career in the music industry? 

I would say it is important to find a school that will provide good mentorship and lots of opportunities to perform. Another key is to diversify. It is important to become very proficient in one area but adding to that, having a well-rounded skill set can lead to greater work opportunities and greater satisfaction after post-secondary studies. 

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about? 

Our faculty recital is coming up on September 3, at 1 p.m. at the Broadway Auditorium – BWY A 2010. Every Wednesday from September to November and January to March our students perform at 1 p.m. in the Auditorium. The public is always welcome to attend.  

Our ensembles present end of term concerts during the evenings of November 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2024. I am happy to have some of our students performing in the West Coast Symphony Orchestra and I am so grateful for their mentorship of our students. 

How do you see the role of the music program in the broader college community? Music studies can be a springboard into so many different careers. It is not uncommon for medical students to have completed a major in music during their undergraduate years. Music requires a high level of discipline, strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and teamwork (especially in ensemble playing). These skills form the basis of so many career paths, making it possible to pursue studies or a career in a different discipline or to create a career path that blends music with another discipline. Music has the power to lead to social change and bring people together. We have alumni, students, and faculty who either volunteer or work in music education to positively impact the lives of others through sharing musical performance or passing on musical skills to others. 

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